MACMILLAN'S RECENTLY DEPARTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE AWARDED KNIGHTHOOD

12 June 2015

Ciarán Devane, until recently Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, has been awarded a knighthood for service to cancer patients in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Ciarán was Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support from May 2007 to December 2014 during which time he transformed the organisation into one of the most influential and respected charities in the UK.

Under Ciarán’s tenure the charity's income doubled, helping it to support 5.5 million people in 2014 – a massive increase from the 338,000 the charity reached in 2007. He helped the organisation to secure a host of key policy changes including free prescription charges for cancer patients, better access to winter fuel benefits, improvements to welfare reform changes and vital support for cancer carers.

Ciarán revolutionised Macmillan’s work to shape future UK cancer policy so that it delivers what cancer patients need – whole system solutions that support people throughout and beyond their cancer journey. He developed innovative pilot projects to help improve the way people with cancer are treated and worked with the NHS and social services to help embed them more widely in the system.

All of this fantastic work led to Ciaran’s appointment as Non Executive Director role at NHS England where he continued to tirelessly champion better care for all. He instigated the Richmond Group, a coalition of 10 of the leading health and social care organisations in the voluntary sector to help the charities work together to have a stronger joint voice.

Julia Palca, Chair of Macmillan Cancer Support, says:

"The award of a Knighthood to Ciarán Devane is thoroughly well deserved. Without a doubt, he is has truly changed the way people affected by cancer are treated and supported and I am delighted that he has been recognised in this way.

“Ciarán helped Macmillan become the leading cancer care charity in the UK, helping millions of people affected by cancer each year, whether patients, their families, colleagues or friends.

“He personally has helped Macmillan reach its ambition of improving the lives of everyone affected by cancer and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on behalf of all the staff, supporters and volunteers at Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Ciarán Devane says:

"I would never have imagined being honoured like this. It is beyond thrilling for me personally.

“I hope it is also in some way a testament to the great work of my colleagues at Macmillan, and if I am allowed to be perhaps a bit too grand - to the contribution charities more broadly make to British society."

In addition to his role at Macmillan and with NHS England, Ciarán has chaired the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative, co-chaired the Information Prescriptions Steering Group, been a member of the Health at Work Responsibility Deal Network, trustee of the Liver Group, trustee of the Makaton Charity, a patron of the St Francis Cancer Support Centre in Lithuania, a board member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, a member of the Expert Group on the NHS Constitution.

Ciarán is currently Chief Executive at the British Council.

For further information, please contact:

Emma Guise, Head of Media, Macmillan Cancer Support

020 7840 4790 (out of hours 07801 307068)

eguise@macmillan.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Macmillan Cancer Support

More than one in three of us will get cancer. For most of us it will be the toughest fight we ever face. And the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so many people experience make it even harder.

But you don’t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is with you every step of the way.

We are the nurses and therapists helping you through treatment. The experts on the end of the phone. The advisers telling you which benefits you’re entitled to. The volunteers giving you a hand with the everyday things. The campaigners improving cancer care. The community there for you online, any time. The supporters who make it all possible.

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Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.